SHARE

Man gets 12 years in cop confrontation; sentence could be cut

A man who tried to run over an off-duty Grand Junction police officer will have a shot at a reduction in his 12-year prison sentence, according to the terms of a plea agreement.

Corey Marcella, 23, of Grand Junction was sentenced Tuesday morning to a 12-year term, but he’ll be able to petition District Judge Thomas Deister for reconsideration of that sentence if he can complete the Colorado Corrections Alternative Program, or “boot camp.”

“I certainly can’t commit to what I will do,” Deister said of a possible re-sentencing hearing.

Marcella pleaded guilty in March to attempted vehicular homicide, menacing with a deadly weapon, and misdemeanor DUI. He originally had faced numerous charges, including attempted murder.

Marcella was accused of trying to run down officer Adam Winch late the evening of April 13, 2008, while Winch was jogging in the area of E and 32 roads.

Winch told authorities the car driven by Marcella stopped in front of him about 2 a.m.

He said two people inside got out and threatened him, then got back in the car and tried to run him down.